Penny


Character Source Material: Big Bang Theory, The (TV Series, CBS)


She is the primary female character in the series, befriending her neighbors Leonard Hofstadter and Sheldon Cooper, two physicists employed at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Penny’s lack of advanced education sets her apart from the group, and her outgoing personality and social aptitude drastically contrast with the personalities of the primary male characters in the series.



5 Factor Personality Summary for Penny

Trait Percentile Trait Disposition
Neuroticism 95.74 High
Agreeableness 93.83 High
Extraversion 89.77 High
Conscientiousness 0.17 Low
Openness 41.72 Average
personality chart
Link to full personality profile report.



5 Factor Personality Items and Responses for Penny

This section displays the detail item responses that were used to generate the above personality summary. The methodology for selecting the item responses for this fictional character involved using research from a generative artificial intelligence tool to summarize a descriptive response to a question related to each item. The research was reviewed and a judgement was made on the most appropriate response on that item. You can view an example script for collecting these responses (see: Script for Automated Five Factor Assessment)

Trait Item Item Response Item Score AI-Generated Research*
Openness Do not have a good imagination. Moderately Inaccurate 4

Based on some sources, it seems that Penny from the Big Bang Theory does have a good imagination. She often makes jokes and witty remarks that show her creative and humorous side. She also has a passion for acting, which requires her to imagine different characters and scenarios. She has appeared in several plays, commercials, and TV shows, although not always successfully.

However, Penny also has some limitations in her imagination. She is not very interested or knowledgeable in science, math, or technology, which are the main fields of expertise of Sheldon and the others. She sometimes struggles to understand their concepts and theories, or to appreciate their hobbies and interests. She also tends to be more practical and realistic than some of her friends, especially when it comes to money, career, or relationships.

So, Penny may have a good imagination in some areas, but not in others. She is just a diverse and multifaceted person who has different strengths and weaknesses.

Openness Am not interested in abstract ideas. Moderately Accurate 2

Based on some sources, it seems that Penny from the Big Bang Theory is not very interested in abstract ideas. She is not very interested or knowledgeable in science, math, or technology, which are the main fields of expertise of Sheldon and the others. She sometimes struggles to understand their concepts and theories, or to appreciate their hobbies and interests.

However, Penny also has some interests and skills that involve abstract ideas. She has a passion for acting, which requires her to imagine different characters and scenarios. She also has a high emotional intelligence and social skills, which help her to empathize with others and communicate effectively. She also learns to respect and value the different perspectives of her friends, even if she does not always agree with them.

So, Penny may not be very interested in abstract ideas in some areas, but she is in others. She is just a diverse and multifaceted person who has different strengths and weaknesses.

Openness Have difficulty understanding abstract ideas. Moderately Inaccurate 4

Based on some sources, it seems that Penny from the Big Bang Theory does have difficulty understanding abstract ideas. She is not very interested or knowledgeable in science, math, or technology, which are the main fields of expertise of Sheldon and the others. She sometimes struggles to understand their concepts and theories, or to appreciate their hobbies and interests.

However, Penny also has some strengths in her understanding of abstract ideas. She has a passion for acting, which requires her to imagine different characters and scenarios. She also has a high emotional intelligence and social skills, which help her to empathize with others and communicate effectively. She also learns to respect and value the different perspectives of her friends, even if she does not always agree with them.

So, Penny may have difficulty understanding abstract ideas in some areas, but not in others. She is just a diverse and multifaceted person who has different strengths and weaknesses.

Openness Have a vivid imagination. Moderately Accurate 4

Based on some sources, it seems that Penny from the Big Bang Theory does have a vivid imagination. She often makes jokes and witty remarks that show her creative and humorous side. She also has a passion for acting, which requires her to imagine different characters and scenarios. She has appeared in several plays, commercials, and TV shows, although not always successfully.

However, Penny also has some limitations in her imagination. She is not very interested or knowledgeable in science, math, or technology, which are the main fields of expertise of Sheldon and the others. She sometimes struggles to understand their concepts and theories, or to appreciate their hobbies and interests. She also tends to be more practical and realistic than some of her friends, especially when it comes to money, career, or relationships.

So, Penny may have a vivid imagination in some areas, but not in others. She is just a diverse and multifaceted person who has different strengths and weaknesses.

Neuroticism Seldom feel blue. Neither Inaccurate nor Accurate 3

Based on some sources, it seems that Penny from the Big Bang Theory does not seldom feel blue. She often faces challenges and disappointments in her life, such as her failed acting career, her financial problems, her relationship issues, and her lack of education. She also has to deal with the quirks and demands of Sheldon and the other nerds, who sometimes frustrate or annoy her.

However, Penny also has some moments of joy and happiness in the show. She enjoys hanging out with her friends, watching movies, going shopping, or doing yoga. She also finds fulfillment and stability in her job as a pharmaceutical sales representative and in her marriage to Leonard. She also learns to appreciate and understand the geeky interests of Sheldon and the others, and even joins them in some activities like paintball or video games.

So, Penny may feel blue sometimes, but she is not always sad or unhappy either. She is just a normal person who has ups and downs in her life.

Neuroticism Am relaxed most of the time. Moderately Inaccurate 4

Based on some sources, it seems that Penny from the Big Bang Theory is not very relaxed most of the time. She often faces stress and anxiety from her failed acting career, her financial problems, her relationship issues, and her lack of education. She also has to deal with the quirks and demands of Sheldon and the other nerds, who sometimes frustrate or annoy her. She usually copes with her problems by drinking wine, making jokes, or venting to her friends.

However, Penny also has some moments of relaxation and happiness in the show. She enjoys hanging out with her friends, watching movies, going shopping, or doing yoga. She also finds fulfillment and stability in her job as a pharmaceutical sales representative and in her marriage to Leonard. She also learns to appreciate and understand the geeky interests of Sheldon and the others, and even joins them in some activities like paintball or video games.

So, Penny may not be very relaxed most of the time, but she is not always tense or unhappy either. She is just a normal person who has ups and downs in her life.

Neuroticism Get upset easily. Moderately Accurate 4

Based on some sources, it seems that Penny from the Big Bang Theory does get upset easily in some situations, especially when she is drunk, insecure, or unhappy with her life. For example, in one episode, she proposes to Leonard while intoxicated and then gets angry when he hesitates to accept. In another episode, she gets mad at Leonard for telling her that he cheated on her while they were on a break. She also tends to lash out at Sheldon and the others when they annoy her or make fun of her.

However, Penny also has a kind and caring side, and she often apologizes for her outbursts and tries to make up with her friends. She also shows compassion and empathy for others who are going through hard times, such as Sheldon when he breaks up with Amy or Howard when he loses his mother. She also grows as a person throughout the series and becomes more confident and successful in her career as a pharmaceutical sales representative.

So, Penny may have some mood swings, but she is not a bad person. She is just a complex and realistic character who has flaws and strengths like anyone else.

Neuroticism Have frequent mood swings. Moderately Accurate 4

According to some sources, Penny is a character who often makes fun of Leonard, Sheldon, and their friends for being geeks and has a ditzy and flirty personality. She also has a history of drinking alcohol and making impulsive decisions. Some fans of the show think that Penny treats Leonard badly and has a lot of mood swings, especially when she is drunk or depressed. However, other fans may disagree and find Penny to be a funny and lovable character who balances out the nerdy humor of the show.

Conscientiousness Make a mess of things. Moderately Accurate 2

Penny from The Big Bang Theory can make a mess of things when she is careless, impulsive, or inexperienced. She often makes mistakes, causes problems, or creates conflicts. She does not always think things through, consider the consequences, or follow the instructions.

For example, in the episode “The Pancake Batter Anomaly”, Penny agrees to take care of Sheldon when he is sick. However, she does not know how to deal with his demands, complaints, and quirks. She also does not follow his mother’s advice on how to make him feel better. She ends up making him worse by giving him the wrong medicine, feeding him the wrong food, and singing him the wrong song. She also gets sick herself and infects Leonard and his friends. She makes a mess of things by trying to help Sheldon.

Another example is in the episode “The Terminator Decoupling”, when Penny meets the actor Summer Glau on a train. She decides to flirt with him and get his phone number. However, she does not realize that he is married and that his wife is sitting next to him. She also does not notice that Leonard and his friends are watching her and that they are fans of Summer Glau. She ends up embarrassing herself and angering Summer Glau’s wife. She makes a mess of things by trying to impress Summer Glau.

Therefore, I would say that Penny from The Big Bang Theory can make a mess of things and shows it in various ways. She may not intend to be harmful or foolish, but she has a tendency to act rashly and recklessly. She is a confident, daring, and adventurous person who likes to take risks and have fun.

Conscientiousness Often forget to put things back in their proper place. Very Accurate 1

Penny from The Big Bang Theory often forgets to put things back in their proper place. She also tends to leave things lying around, borrow things without asking, and lose things easily. She does not pay much attention to details, organization, or tidiness.

For example, in the episode “The 43 Peculiarity”, Penny borrows Leonard’s laptop without his permission and leaves it on her coffee table. She also forgets to close the lid and turn it off. When Leonard comes to get it back, he finds that Penny has left her email open and that she has been receiving messages from a British guy named Cole. He also finds that Penny has been watching videos of cute animals and that she has changed his wallpaper to a picture of a kitten. He is annoyed by Penny’s carelessness and curiosity.

Another example is in the episode “The Locomotion Reverberation”, when Penny loses her car keys and asks Leonard to help her find them. They search all over the apartment and the car, but they cannot find them anywhere. They also realize that Penny has left a lot of stuff in the car, such as clothes, shoes, books, and food. They finally find the keys in the freezer, where Penny had put them by mistake. She is embarrassed by her forgetfulness and messiness.

Therefore, I would say that Penny from The Big Bang Theory often forgets to put things back in their proper place and shows it in various ways. She may not mean to be disrespectful or irresponsible, but she has a poor memory and a lack of order. She is a casual, relaxed, and easy-going person who does not worry about things too much.

Conscientiousness Like order. Very Inaccurate 1

Penny from The Big Bang Theory does not seem to like order very much. She often rebels against rules, routines, and expectations. She also tends to be flexible, adaptable, and spontaneous. She likes to try new things, explore new possibilities, and have fun.

For example, in the episode “The Panty Piñata Polarization”, Penny breaks one of Sheldon’s apartment rules and sits on his spot on the couch. She also eats his food, uses his bathroom, and changes his TV channels. She does this to annoy Sheldon and to challenge his authority. She shows that she does not like order and prefers to do things her own way.

Another example is in the episode “The Gorilla Dissolution”, when Penny decides to quit her acting career and look for a new job. She tells Leonard that she is tired of following a script and that she wants to make her own choices. She also says that she does not have a plan and that she is open to whatever comes her way. She shows that she does not like order and prefers to be flexible and spontaneous.

Therefore, I would say that Penny from The Big Bang Theory does not like order and shows it in various ways. She may sometimes appreciate order and structure, but she values freedom and creativity more. She is a rebellious, adventurous, and independent person who likes to live in the moment.

Conscientiousness Get chores done right away. Very Inaccurate 1

Penny from The Big Bang Theory does not seem to be very consistent or diligent when it comes to getting chores done right away. She often procrastinates, forgets, or ignores her household duties. She also tends to be messy, disorganized, and careless with her belongings.

For example, in the episode “The 21-Second Excitation”, Penny invites Leonard and his friends to watch a movie at her apartment. However, when they arrive, they find her place in a state of chaos. There are clothes, dishes, books, and trash everywhere. Penny admits that she has not cleaned her apartment in a while and asks them to help her tidy up. She also reveals that she has not paid her rent or her bills on time and that she owes money to various people. She shows that she does not get chores done right away and suffers the consequences.

Another example is in the episode “The Hesitation Ramification”, when Penny asks Leonard to help her move some furniture in her apartment. However, when they get there, they find that the furniture is still in boxes and that Penny has not assembled it yet. She tells Leonard that she bought the furniture six months ago and that she has been meaning to put it together but never got around to it. She also says that she has lost some of the screws and instructions and that she does not have the right tools. She shows that she does not get chores done right away and creates more problems for herself.

Therefore, I would say that Penny from The Big Bang Theory does not get chores done right away and shows it in various ways. She may have good intentions and motivations, but she lacks discipline and organization. She is a spontaneous, creative, and fun-loving person who prefers to enjoy life rather than worry about chores.

Agreeableness Am not interested in other people's problems. Very Inaccurate 5

No, I don’t think that’s true either. Penny from The Big Bang Theory is very interested in other people’s problems and tries to help them whenever she can. She often gives advice, comfort, and support to her friends and family when they are going through difficulties. She also listens to them, empathizes with them, and validates their feelings.

For example, in the episode “The Friendship Algorithm”, Penny helps Leonard to make friends with Barry Kripke, a colleague who has access to a high-tech lab. Penny teaches Leonard some social skills and tips on how to approach Kripke and invite him to hang out. She also accompanies Leonard to a karaoke bar where Kripke is singing and encourages him to join him on stage. She shows interest in Leonard’s problem and helps him to solve it.

Another example is in the episode “The Proton Transmogrification”, when Penny comforts Sheldon after he learns that his childhood hero, Professor Proton, has died. Penny hugs Sheldon and tells him that she is sorry for his loss. She also listens to him talk about his memories of Professor Proton and how he inspired him to become a scientist. She shows interest in Sheldon’s problem and helps him to cope with it.

Therefore, I would say that Penny from The Big Bang Theory is very interested in other people’s problems and shows it in various ways. She may not always have the best solutions or the most expertise, but she has the best intentions and the most compassion. She is a kind, helpful, and generous person who makes others feel better.

Agreeableness Am not really interested in others. Very Inaccurate 5

No, I don’t think that’s true. Penny from The Big Bang Theory is very interested in others, especially her friends and family. She cares about their well-being, happiness, and success. She often helps them with their problems, supports them in their endeavors, and celebrates their achievements. She also enjoys spending time with them, having fun, and sharing her life.

For example, in the episode “The Maternal Capacitance”, Penny meets Leonard’s mother, Beverly, who is a cold and distant psychologist. Penny tries to bond with Beverly and make her feel welcome, but Beverly insults and criticizes her. Penny does not give up and eventually manages to break through Beverly’s emotional barriers. She gets Beverly to open up about her unhappy marriage and her strained relationship with Leonard. She also encourages Beverly to hug Leonard and tell him that she loves him. This shows that Penny is interested in others and wants to help them.

Another example is in the episode “The Scavenger Vortex”, when Penny joins a scavenger hunt organized by Raj for his friends. Penny teams up with Sheldon and tries to get along with him despite their differences. She follows his rules, listens to his explanations, and even compliments his skills. She also has fun with him and laughs at his jokes. She shows genuine interest in Sheldon and his interests.

Therefore, I would say that Penny from The Big Bang Theory is very interested in others and shows it in various ways. She may not always understand them or agree with them, but she respects them and values them. She is a loyal, caring, and friendly person who makes others feel good.

Agreeableness Feel others' emotions. Very Accurate 5

Based on the show, I would say that Penny does feel others’ emotions to some extent, but not as strongly as some other characters. For example, in the episode “The Holographic Excitation”, Penny attends a Halloween party with Leonard and his friends. She dresses up as a sexy cop and enjoys flirting with Leonard. However, when she sees Amy dressed up as Raggedy Ann and Sheldon dressed up as Raggedy C-3PO, she feels sorry for Amy and tries to cheer her up. She tells Amy that she looks cute and that Sheldon is lucky to have her. This shows that Penny can sense Amy’s disappointment and insecurity and tries to make her feel better.

However, Penny is not always able to feel others’ emotions or respond appropriately. For example, in the episode “The Cooper/Kripke Inversion”, Penny finds out that Sheldon has been working with Barry Kripke, his rival at Caltech. She assumes that Sheldon is upset and tries to comfort him by hugging him and telling him that he is a genius. However, Sheldon does not appreciate her gesture and tells her to stop touching him. He also reveals that he is actually happy about working with Kripke because he challenges him intellectually. This shows that Penny misread Sheldon’s emotions and did not understand his motivation.

Therefore, I would say that Penny from The Big Bang Theory can feel others’ emotions, but not very deeply or consistently. She is more adept at sympathizing with others’ feelings than feeling them herself. She may also have different emotional reactions depending on the person and the situation. She is more likely to feel others’ emotions when they are positive or similar to her own, and less likely when they are negative or different from her own.

Agreeableness Sympathize with others' feelings. Very Accurate 5

Penny’s personality is outgoing, friendly, and socially adept, which contrasts with the personalities of the primary male characters in the series, who are mostly introverted, nerdy, and awkward1. Penny often acts as a mediator and a voice of reason among her friends, especially when they have conflicts or misunderstandings. She also has a high emotional intelligence and can sympathize with others’ feelings, even when they are different from her own.

For example, in the episode “The Empathy Optimization”, Penny helps Sheldon to apologize to his friends after he insults them while being sick3. She explains to him how empathy works and how to show genuine remorse for his actions. She also encourages him to be more considerate of other people’s emotions in the future.

Another example is in the episode “The Locomotion Interruption”, when Penny meets a woman named Emily who is dating Raj. Penny tries to befriend Emily and invites her to hang out with her and Bernadette. However, Emily reveals that she hates Penny because she once hooked up with Raj. Penny feels guilty and tries to apologize to Emily, but Emily refuses to accept it. Penny then decides to respect Emily’s feelings and distance herself from Raj, even though she considers him a good friend.

These are just some of the instances where Penny shows that she can sympathize with others’ feelings. She may not always agree with them or understand them fully, but she tries to be respectful and compassionate. She is not perfect and she makes mistakes, but she learns from them and grows as a person. She is a complex and dynamic character who adds humor, warmth, and heart to the show.

Extraversion Keep in the background. Very Inaccurate 5

No, I don’t think that’s true either. Penny from the Big Bang Theory does not prefer to keep in the background, but rather to be in the spotlight. She is an aspiring actress who loves to perform and entertain others. She also likes to be the center of attention and to receive compliments and admiration from others. She is not afraid to stand up for herself or to challenge others when she disagrees with them. She is not a passive or submissive person, but rather an active and assertive one.

Extraversion Don't talk a lot. Very Inaccurate 5

No, I don’t think that’s true. Penny from the Big Bang Theory talks a lot, both on the show and in real life. She is often the one who initiates or maintains conversations with the other characters, especially Leonard and Sheldon. She also expresses her opinions, feelings, and jokes freely and frequently. She is not shy or quiet, but rather confident and outspoken.

Extraversion Talk to a lot of different people at parties. Moderately Accurate 4

I don’t have direct access to Penny’s social interactions at parties, but based on what I have seen on the show, I would say that she does talk to lots of different people at parties. She seems to be friendly and outgoing, and she often initiates conversations with strangers or acquaintances. She also has a group of female friends who accompany her to parties, such as Bernadette and Amy. However, sometimes she may feel uncomfortable or bored at parties that are too nerdy or intellectual for her taste, such as the ones hosted by Sheldon or his colleagues. In those cases, she may prefer to stick with Leonard or someone she knows well.

Extraversion Am the life of the party. Moderately Accurate 4

Whether Penny is the life of the party or not depends on one’s perspective and definition of a party. In this context, a human might say that Penny is more sociable, friendly, and fun-loving than most of the other characters on the show, especially compared to Sheldon who is often rigid, arrogant, and insensitive. Penny enjoys going out with her friends, drinking alcohol, dancing, and flirting with men. She also has a good sense of humor and can make jokes about herself and others. However, some people may think that Penny is not very smart, responsible, or ambitious, as she struggles with her career as an actress and later as a pharmaceutical sales representative. She also has some insecurities and low self-esteem issues that affect her relationships. Therefore, one could argue that Penny is not the life of the party, but rather someone who uses parties as a way to escape from her problems or to seek validation from others.

* AI-Generated Responses are text output captured from entering an item-related question for this character into a generative AI model such as Chat-GPT, Google Gemini, or Anthropic's Claude. For example, a question for the item "Like order" would be "Does <Character Name> like order?".